Missions, Culture, and Online Education

11/01/24 • -1 min

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Craig Ott, professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, for an in-depth discussion on the intersection of global missions, cultural engagement, and theological education. Dr. Ott shares his experiences in church planting across Germany, his insights on missions in Eastern Europe, and the complexities of online theological education. Reflecting on his recent article, “Culture and Online Theological Education: The Democratization of Education or a New Imperialism?“, Dr. Ott explores the opportunities and challenges presented by digital learning platforms, especially in a global context.

The conversation covers topics such as the cultural implications of digital education, the need for contextualized theological training, and the importance of empowering local churches to adapt sound doctrine within their unique cultural settings. Dr. Ott also discusses broader trends in global missions and the impact of diaspora communities.

Listeners interested in missions, intercultural studies, and online theological education will find this episode both insightful and thought-provoking, offering practical wisdom on how the Reformed tradition can effectively engage with the global church.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:04:01 Dr. Craig Ott’s Background and Experience in Missions
00:14:43 The Influence of Digital Cultures
00:26:52 Media Ecology, and the Benefits and Detriments of Online Education
00:45:04 Cohort Models
00:52:45 Diversity in the Body of Christ
01:01:33 Current Challenges and Encouraging Aspects of Contemporary Missions
01:10:17 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Craig Ott

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:04:01 Dr. Craig Ott’s Background and Experience in Missions
00:14:43 The Influence of Digital Cultures
00:26:52 Media Ecology, and the Benefits and Detriments of Online Education
00:45:04 Cohort Models
00:52:45 Diversity in the Body of Christ
01:01:33 Current Challenges and Encouraging Aspects of Contemporary Missions
01:10:17 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Craig Ott

Previous Episode

Van Til Group #14 — Ethics and the Christian Philosophy of Reality

In pp. 77–79 of The Defense of the Faith (first edition), Cornelius Van Til addresses the fundamental differences between Christian and non-Christian perspectives on ethics, particularly focusing on the role of the will of God as foundational to ethical systems. Van Til begins by asserting that God’s will is absolute and self-determinative. God is eternally good, not becoming good through a process, but being so by his very nature. Unlike humans, God does not have to achieve goodness; it is intrinsic to his eternal character. Therefore, God is both absolutely necessary and absolutely free.

Van Til introduces a key distinction between Christian and non-Christian viewpoints. Christians uphold the concept of an absolutely self-determinative God, who is the necessary presupposition for all human activity. Non-Christian ethics, however, assume that if the Christian God were real, he would stifle ethical activity. This is because non-theistic views perceive God and man as having wills conditioned by an environment, implying that God must also achieve goodness through a process.

Van Til critiques Platonic philosophy, noting that Plato’s conception of “the Good” was ultimate, but his god was not. For Plato, “the Good” was abstract and separated from a fully personal God, leaving the ultimate reality as dependent on the element of Chance. Thus, even if Plato spoke of the Good, it was not self-determined or sovereign in the Christian sense. Modern idealist philosophers tried to build on Platonic thought by proposing an “absolutely self-determinative Experience,” but ultimately failed, according to Van Til, because they made God dependent on the space-time universe, blending time and eternity. As a result, God became dependent on external processes rather than being sovereign over them.

The core ethical difference between Christianity and non-Christian systems is the acceptance or rejection of an ultimately self-determinative God. Van Til argues that without the presupposition of God as absolute, there can be no coherent or purposeful human experience, including ethics. The absolute sovereignty of God is not a hindrance to human responsibility but rather its foundation.

Van Til makes a point to distinguish Christian doctrine from philosophical determinism. While both affirm necessity, philosophical determinism is impersonal, suggesting that everything is determined by blind, impersonal forces. Christianity, in contrast, asserts that the ultimate reality is personal; God’s sovereign will underlies the possibility of genuine human freedom and responsibility.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:05:31 Ethics and the Christian Philosophy of Reality
00:11:45 The Christian Conception of God
00:18:02 The Absolute Contrast between Christian and Non-Christian Ethics
00:29:48 Contrasts with Platonism
00:47:18 Contrast with Idealism
00:52:10 The Central Ethical Distinction
00:55:22 Contrast with Philosophical Determinism
01:05:11 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton

Next Episode

Vos Group #92 — Parables and Allegories

In this episode of Christ the Center, we continue our Vos Group series with an in-depth discussion on Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, focusing on Jesus’ use of parables and allegories on pages 352–355. Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton explore the unique role of parables in Jesus’ teaching, emphasizing the contrast between parables and allegories and unpacking their function, purpose, and the theological depth within each form.

They also discuss the eschatological significance of the natural-spiritual parallel Vos identifies, highlighting how Jesus’ parables point to a heavenly reality beyond earthly expectations. The conversation also touches on the implications for Christian eschatology and the proper focus of hope within reformed thought.

Join us as we explore the richness of Vos’s thought and its relevance for understanding Jesus’ mission and message. Listen now to deepen your grasp of the parabolic teaching method and its place in Reformed theology, and catch up on past Vos Group episodes.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.